Jacob Brown is one of the most electric voices rising in the world of professional speaking.

A former NFL athlete turned serial entrepreneur, best-selling author, and transformational keynote speaker, Jacob has quickly become a go-to expert for companies and conferences that want to shift mindsets, build resilient leaders, and transform workplace culture.

Today, Jacob is a trusted keynote speaker for organizations like Intel, Meta, LinkedIn, UPS, General Motors, the Dallas Cowboys and many more. He’s delivered standing-ovation keynotes at top universities including Notre Dame, Michigan, and Wisconsin, and his insights have been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Good Morning America. Jacob is also the author of Fail Forward Mentality, a powerful book designed to help individuals and organizations break free from perfectionism, embrace resilience, and transform setbacks into growth.

His book is a natural extension of his message on stage, equipping readers with actionable tools to reframe failure and lead with courage. As co-founder of Varlo, a global athletic apparel brand, Jacob knows the entrepreneurial hustle. But it’s his work with executive teams, HR leaders, and frontline managers that sets him apart. His keynotes go beyond motivation - they activate change. Using humor, hard-earned wisdom, and practical frameworks, Jacob helps leaders unlock their teams' potential by transforming failure into strategy and adversity into alignment.

Whether guiding companies through burnout, broken culture, or leadership drift, Jacob equips audiences to embrace discomfort, lead with authenticity, and build failure-resilient organizations that thrive in uncertainty.

He lives in Metro Detroit with his wife and their four children. Offstage, you’ll find him cheering at basketball games, attending ballet recitals, or sneaking in a family vacation - always leading from the core.

Ready to connect? Text or call me @ 248-805-6093 or email me at jacob@failforwardbrown.com

For speaking inquiries: www.jakebrownspeaks.com

Jacob Brown

Scott Taylor, MBA

Saint Ignatius High School

Assistant Director of Advancement Marketing

BlkDog

We are a brand marketing agency helping small businesses, entrepreneurs, 
and dreamers build brands with purpose.

CEO + Founder

INTERDESIGN

Global Director Brand Marketing

Moen Incorporated

• Lead end-to-end campaign development including identifying target insights,
audiences, developing strategy, briefing creation, defining messaging, channel
planning, brand positioning, and content development
• Lead creative direction of above the line advertising (paid social, tv, radio) to
support key marketing initiatives and branded content
• Track and report the brand marketing data including development of feedback
loops to ensure creative is delivering against company goals, and optimizing
for short and long term impact
• Develop and communicate industry, market, and channel understanding to
advance and address business objectives
• Work collaboratively with cross functional teams on new product launches
and marketing campaigns in support of our Vision Into Action strategy
• Manage and partner with internal marketers, writers, designers, and direct
external agency partners on briefings, creative reviews, and brand activities
• Translate brand strategies into brand plans and go-to-market strategies
• Monitor market trends and research competitor’s activities to find opportunities
and report on marketing activities

Associate Brand Marketing Manager

John Carroll University

• Led strategy and execution of creative, marketing, and web projects to
support John Carroll University’s strategic marketing efforts
• Led creative, brand, and web strategies including positioning, digital,
social media, and web management
• Co-led athletics rebranding process between 2018-2019
• Developed and enhanced brand positioning and brand guidelines
• Increased in-house creative capabilities including adding video and animation
• Led the visual direction of John Carroll University’s new website in 2019,
including consultation of UI/UX brand experience
• Directed external resources including a team of writers, photographers,
marketing specialists, and digital teams to execute strategic brand initiatives
• Coached and mentored team members on professional development growth
opportunities including training on brand marketing best practices

Director of Marketing and Creative Services

Director of Creative Services

Senior Graphic Designer

University Hospitals

• Lead designer for key accounts including The Cleveland Browns, UH Harrington
Heart & Vascular Institute, Corporate Communications, and Human Resources,
Sports and Orthopedics, Institutional Relations & Development
• Partnered with marketing and communications teams to produce the highest
standard of brand collateral to meet hospital objectives and enhanced brand
awareness across all marketing channels.
• Collaborated with senior leadership on system initiatives including evolving
processes, products, and tools

Graphic Designer

Sherwin-Williams

• Executed, coordinated, distributed, and supported Sherwin-Williams Protective
& Marine (PM) marketing and brand initiatives for North America
• Designed marketing and sales collateral including sell sheets, brochures,
print and digital ads, and event materials supporting North America and
Global sales strategic efforts
• Developed and managed the PM divisions’ first online digital magazine,
e-Coating Solutions, over 40,000 subscribers globally

Graphic Designer + Marketing Specialist

Co-Founder @ BlkDog, Brand Marketing Agency For Small Businesses | Connecting People + Brands to Purpose | Creative, Leadership, Strategy

Hi! I'm Scott. 

I'm a creative turned brand marketing leader. I'm here to share my experiences, life lessons, ideas, network, and help others. 

In addition, I am a…
🔸 Proud Father and Husband 
🔸 Cleveland Sports Fan - Go Browns, Guards, Cavs
🔸 Foodie - I love cooking and discovering new restaurants and breweries
🔸 Traveler - Travel changes us. It's the gateway to growth and creativity.
🔸 Lifelong Learner - Growth is never done. I love learning new skills and ideas to keep things fresh. 

I graduated with an MBA from John Carroll University and Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Design from the University of Dayton. 

I have over 14 years of professional experience in marketing, communications, brand, and creative design. I’ve had the privilege to work in several roles in varying industries including Manufacturing, Higher Education, Healthcare, Technology, Security, Art & Design, Law, Software, Event Planning, Athletics, Health & Wellness. 

My diverse professional experiences have helped me remain agile, innovative, and focused on growth as a person and professional. Lifelong learning is at my core. Of course I wouldn't be where I am today without countless talented and incredible mentors, colleagues, and partners who have pushed me to continue growing. 

• Creative Direction 
• Marketing Strategy
• Integrated Marketing & Communications  
• Digital Marketing 
• Social Media and Content Strategy  
• Brand Strategy
• Agency Management 
• Advertising and Paid Media Execution
• Project Management 
• Team and Staff Development 
• Executive Leadership 

In addition to my full-time work experience, my wife and I founded a brand and design company, BlkDog. We focus on supporting other small businesses, entrepreneurs, & dreamers. We believe in supporting the local Cleveland community and small business owners to achieve their goals by partnering with our team on branding, design, and strategic marketing.

To learn more about our agency BlkDog, visit www.goblkdog.com 

 *All my experiences and opinions shared here are my own.

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The Battle

Jacob Brown

Scott Taylor, MBA

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